As our population ages, clinicians are faced with an increasing number of elderly patients with multiple medical problems and prescribed medications both in the acute and in the chronic setting. The clinical presentation of common conditions often differs from other age groups and the risk of drug–drug interactions is high, leading to an increased rate of adverse drug reactions and adverse outcomes.
These difficulties prompt the need for a quick and at the same time comprehensive source of information that will assist health care professionals in diagnosing and managing common geriatric conditions effectively and safely. This handbook is designed specifically for this purpose. Unlike other products in the field, information on aetiological factors and pathophysiology is kept to a minimum whereas significant emphasis is given to diagnosis and clinical management options by experts in the field. Age-related changes in pharmacokinetics are clearly illustrated in tabular format and treatment algorithms are derived from a thorough evidence-based review of the literature and the latest guidelines. Each chapter contains key references and a list of selected websites linked to professional national and international organizations and guideline groups.
The book is primarily aimed at trainees in geriatric medicine, internal medicine, and clinical pharmacology. It also provides information useful to the busy hospital specialist and the primary care physician.